These Things that Poets Said by Edward Thomas
The poem explores the nature of love and the poet's introspection regarding his own experiences compared to those expressed by other poets. Initially, the speaker finds resonance in the words of poets about love, feeling that their sentiments align with his own. However, as time passes, he begins to question the authenticity of both his love and that of the poets. The speaker grapples with uncertainty, wondering if his love was genuine or if it was merely a fleeting emotion, contrasting it with the idealized love depicted in poetry. This leads to a deeper existential inquiry about the essence of love itself. The speaker seeks clarity from Love, yearning for a definitive understanding before his life concludes. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the complexities of love, the subjective nature of emotional experiences, and the distinction between genuine affection and superficial feelings. The speaker concludes that the mere act of having loved sets him apart, indicating a transformation in his identity shaped by love's absence.
By Edward Thomas · First published 1917 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Philosophical Poetry · 95 words
First lines
These things that poets said Of love seemed true to me When I loved and I fed On love and poetry equally.
But now I wish I knew If theirs were love indeed, Or if mine were the true And theirs some other lovely weed:
For certainly not thus, Then or thereafter, I
Loved ever. Between us Decide, good Love, before I die.
What this Textopian page supports
These Things that Poets Said is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edward Thomas, dated 1917 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Edward Thomas
- Date: 1917 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romantic Poetry, Philosophical Poetry, Modernist Poetry, Nature Poetry
- Length: 95 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
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Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work is characterized by personal expression and emotional depth, typical of lyric poetry.
- Romantic Poetry — Themes of love and introspection align with the Romantic tradition, focusing on individual experience and emotion.
- Philosophical Poetry — The poem explores existential questions about love and truth, reflecting a philosophical inquiry.
- Modernist Poetry — The questioning of traditional notions of love and the introspective style suggest elements of Modernism.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Wales · Rural Life · Autobiography · Memoir · Literary Nonfiction · Travel Writing · Personal Narrative · Reflections · Observations · Seasonal Themes